Epoxidation of Olefins Catalyzed by Some cis-Dioxomolybdenum(VI)-Tridentate Schi Base Complexes with tert-Butyl Hydroperoxide

Some cis-dioxomolybdenum (VI) complexes with tridentate Schi base ligands derived from
salicylaldehyde and aminophenols, aminoalcohol or o-aminobenzenethiol were examined as catalysts for
epoxidation of dierent aliphatic and aromatic olens, with tert-butyl hydroperoxide as oxidant. All
complexes exhibited high activity and selectivity for epoxidation of aliphatic substrates during a short time
period (95% conversion of cyclooctene after 30 min). The epoxide yield increased with the nucleophilic
character of olen. The catalysts activation strongly depends on the reaction temperature and nature of
the solvent. Epoxidation of olens by these catalysts is inhibited by ligands or coordinating solvents such
as alcohols.